Perforating device for the recording of message signals, data, measurement values or the like, especially in conjunction with a drum counting mechanism and/or printing mechanism



Feb. 22, 1966 H. J. RlCHTER 3,236,444

PERFORATING DEVICE FOR THE RECORDING OF MESSAGE SIGNALS, DATA, MEASUREMENT VALUES OR THE LIKE, ESPECIALLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH A DRUM COUNTING MECHANISM AND/0R PRINTING MECHANISM Filed March 13, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fly.

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Feb. 22, 1966 Filed March I3, 1964 SIGNALS PERFORATING DEVICE F DATA, MEASUREMENT VALUES OR THE LIKE, ESPECIALLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH A DRUM COUNTING MECHANISM AND/OR PRINTING MECHANISM J. RICHTER OR THE RECORDING 0F MESSAGE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1966 H. J. RICHTER PERFQRATING DEVICE FOR THE RECORDING 0F MESSAGE SIGNALS, DATA, MEASUREMENT VALUES OR THE LIKE, ESPECIALLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH A DRUM COUNTING MECHANISM AND/OR PRINTING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 15, 1964 United States Patent 4 Claims. 61. 234 s In communications technology it is often desirable to record message signals, data, measurement values or the like on perforated cards, tapes, or the like, in coded form.

The invention relates to a punch or perforating device, which, in consequence of its simplicity, is especially well suited for the recording of perforated-coded tapes, cards or the like.

According to an earlier proposal, such a device is characterized by the feature that for the particular message signals, data, measurement values, or the like there are attached correspondingly adjustable drums or wheels on shafts arranged coaxially in one another, the shafts carrying disks with projections in recesses which are arranged to correspond to a code selected for the conversion of the message signals, data, measurement values or the like, with the projections and recesses disposed opposite punch pins. In the punching operation of a recording strip or card according to the setting of the drums or wheels, only those pins perforate the recording element which are disposed opposite the projections of the disks.

The invention proceeds along a different course. Accordingly, the perforating or punch device is characterized by the feature that for the particular message signals, data, measurement values or the like, correspondingly adjustable drums or wheels are equipped with cam plates scannable by feeler levers. Toothed racks are provided which are settable by the feeler levers according to their scanning of the cam plates, the indentations or recesses in the toothed racks corresponding to a code selected for the conversion of the message signals, data, measurement values or the like, perforating pins being set opposite the recording tape, card, etc., according to the setting of the drums.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, with portions illustrated in section, of a perforating device embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a card or similar element illustrating the perforations therein;

FIG. 3 illustrates the manner of coding for each numeral and the relation of the punch pins with respect to the toothed racks;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a toothed rack, illustrating an overlapping of the code areas;

FIG. 5 is a .side elevational View of one of the cam plates; and

FIG. 6 is a transverse section through the punch block, illustrating the operation of the punch pins and the cooperating adjusting elements of the device.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown for the purposes of explanation an embodiment of the invention, for example, a hand punching device by means of which, numerical values are converted into holes or perforations in a paper strip or card, which holes correspond to a selected code. If, for example, the numerical value 850 is to be converted, the rotatable numeral drums 2, 3 and 4, freely rotatable on the shaft 1, are accordingly set,

3,236,444 Patented Feb. 22, 1966 the numeral drum 2 being set manually on the value 0, the numeral drum 3 being set on the value 5, the numeral drum 4 being set on the value 8. Each numeral drum being set has on the right hand side thereof, as seen in FIG. 1, a ten-part notched star wheel, whereby the numeral values set thereon are retained by the detent comb 5.

During the setting of the numeral drums, the crank 6 is in a position, deviating from that illustrated in FIG. 1, by approximately degrees, and with it the cams 7, 8 and 9 (only the cam 7 being visible in FIG. 1). The feeler levers 10, 11 and 12 which are pivotally mounted on the axial shaft 13 are thereby swung out in a counterclockwise direction by means of engagement of their associated pins 14, 15 and 16 with the cams, to such extent that the pins 14, 15 and 16 are disposed out of the engageable range of the cam plates 17, 18 and 19 connected to and rotatable with the numeral drums 2, 3 and 4. These cam plates occupy a position corresponding to the numerical values set on the respective drums.

If, now, the crank 6 is turned to the position shown in FIG. 1, the cams 7, 8 and 9 release the feeler levers 10, 11 and 12, so that these levers, under the influence of their respective springs 20, 21 and 22, swing clockwise until the pins 14, 15 and 16 engage their respective cam plates 17, 18 and 19 shifted according to the numerical values set on the drums. Thereby the feeler levers 10, 11 and 12 transmit the numerical value, represented as the magnitude of a mechanical movement to the toothed racks 23, 24 and 25.

As the shaft 1 is connected over gears 26, 27 and 28 with the shaft 29, further turning of the crank 6 will rotate the eccentric 30, as is likewise shown in FIG. 1, moving the perforator plate or block 31 downwardly, and with it the punch pins 32 which then bear against the coded toothed racks 23, 24 and 25. The card or strip to be punched having been inserted in the recess 33 of the perforator block 31, the card is punched by the pins that strike the raised projections or teeth of the racks 23, 24 and 25. The remaining pins drop into the recesses of the toothed racks and are not pressed through the card. The setting of the numerical drums 2, 3 and 4, corresponding to the numerical value 850, is thereby converted into a series of holes in the card or strip corresponding to the selected code.

Through further turning of crank 6, (completion of the rotation to 360) the eccentric 30 again releases the perforator block 31 so that, through the spring 34, it is restored to its starting position. In the operation the punch pins 32 are withdrawn by the stationary stripper 35. The cams 7, 8 and 9 simultaneously lift the actuated feeler levers 10, 11 and 12 out of engageable range of the cam plates 17, 18 and 19. The device is now in its starting position and the punched card as shown in FIG. 2 is then removed from the block 31. It is now possible to set new values on the perforator for a subsequent punching operation.

The coding of each toothed rack for the individual numerals is readily ascertainable from a reference to FIG. 3, in which five punching pins 32 are represented at the top, while at the bottom is represented one of the toothed racks 23, 24, 25.

According to a further feature of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the code for the individual digits can be accommodated on the toothed rack with large overlappings.

Thus, for example, the position a corresponds to the digit 7. The position b, which overlaps the position a, corresponds to the digit 0. In like manner, the position 0 corresponds to the digit 5, which position overlaps both of the aforementioned positions. Through this arrangement there is obtained a relatively short toothed rack requiring only a correspondingly short working stroke.

FIG. 5 illustrates the form of the cam plates 17, 18 and 19, which correspond to the digit sequence of the respective coded toothed racks.

FIG. 6 illustrates a section between two numeral drums from which it is possible to see without difiiculty the construction and operation of the device,

It is possible without difficulty to set the drums other than manually, as for example, by a measuring device, in particular a hydraulically driven counter actuated over gearing. The numeral drums are, in this case, components of an indicator or counting mechanism. Furthermore, there exists the possibility of setting by the numeral drums an additional printing mechanism, so that in addition to the punched card, which, for example, can serve for an accounting record within a plant, while the customer can receive a printed voucher or the like.

Changes may be made within the scope and spirit of .the appended claims which define what is believed to be new and desired to have protected by Letters Patent.

I claim:

1. A perforating device for the recording of message signals, data, measurement values, and the like, comprising a shaft, a plurality of numeral drums freely rotatable thereon, detent means for retaining the respective drums in any of a plurality of selected positions, comprising a star wheel carried by each drum and a detent spring cooperable therewith, a feeler lever for each drum, pivotally mounted on a common shaft, cooperable means on each drum and the associated feeler lever for adjusting the latter in accordance with the setting of the associated drum, resilient means, normally biasing said feeler levers in a direction toward said drums, a plurality of toothed racks, each cooperable with and movable by a respective feeler member, said racks having recesses formed therein corresponding to a selected code, a perforator block movsable relative to said toothed racks and having a plurality of punch pins carried thereby disposed adjacent the refrom operative to inoperative position, and said perforator block to perforating position.

2. A perforating device as defined in claim 1, wherein 50 said actuating member is disposed on said shaft, the latter being operatively connected to said feeler levers by respective cams operable to control the movement of said leversto and from operable and inoperable positions.

3. A perforating device for the recording of message signals, data, measurement values and the like, especially in conjunction with a drum counting mechanism, characterized by the feature that, for the particular message signals, data, measurement values and the like, correspondingly settable drums are provided with cam plates scannable by feeler levers, toothed racks settable by the feeler levers in accordance with their scanning of the cams, said racks having recesses therein corresponding to a code selected for the conversion of message signals, data, measurement values and the like, which recesses are arranged in arbitrary sequence and with code overlapping on the toothed rack, punch pins disposed adjacent the respective racks with their ends arranged to enter said recesses, and operative to punch a receiving element according to the disposition of the recesses in said racks as determined by the setting of said drums.

4. A perforating device for the recording of message signals, data, measurement values and the like, especially in conjunction with a drum counting mechanism, characterized by the feature that, for the particular message signals, data, measurement values and the like, correspondingly settable drums are provided with cam plates scannable by feeler levers, toothed racks settable by the feeler levers in accordance with their scanning of the cams, said racks having recesses therein corresponding to a code selected for the conversion of message signals, data, measurement values and the like, which recesses are arranged in arbitrary sequence and with code overlapping on the toothed rack, a perforator block movable relative to said racks in which are disposed a plurality of punch pins arranged in said block with one of their corresponding ends positioned for entry into the recesses in said racks, said perforator block constructed to operatively support a receiving element for punching by opposite ends of said punch pins as determined by the recesses in said racks whereby pins opposite said recesses are inoperative and the remaining pins are operative upon ,movement of said perforator block toward said racks.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,640,538 6/1953 Duff 23498 3,034,426 5/1962 Maier 23435 WILLIAM W. DYER, JR., Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM S. LAWSON, Examiner. 

1. A PERFORATING DEVICE FOR THE RECORDING OF MESSAGE SIGNALS, DATA, MEASUREMENT VALUES, AND THE LIKE, COMPRISING A SHAFT, A PLURALITY OF NUMERAL DRUMS FREELY ROTATABLE THEREON, DETENT MEANS FOR RETAINING THE RESPECTIVE DRUMS IN ANY OF A PLURALITY OF SELECTED POSTIONS, COMPRISING A STAR WHEEL CARRIED BY EACH DRUM AND A DETENT SPRING COOPERABLE THEREWITH, A FEELER LEVER FOR EACH DRUM, PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON A COMMON SHAFT, COOPERABLE MEANS ON EACH DRUM AND THE ASSOCIATED FEELER LEVER FOR ADJUSTING THE LATTER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SETTING OF THE ASSOCIATED DRUM, A RESILIENT MEANS, NORMALLY BIASING SAID FEELER LEVERS IN A DIRECTION TOWARD SAID DRUMS, A PLURALITY OF TOOTHED RACKS, EACH COOPERABLE WITH AND MOVABLE BY A RESPECTIVE FEELER MEMBER, SAID RACKS HAVING RECESSES FROMED THEREIN CORRESPONDING TO A SELECTED CODE, A PERFORATOR BLOCK MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID TOOTHED RACKS AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF PUNCH PINS CARRIED THEREBY DISPOSED ADJACENT THE RECESSES OF THE RESPECTIVE RACKS AND ENGAGEABLE THEREWITH, ADJUSTMENT OF SAID RACKS BY MEANS OF SAID DRUMS BEING OPERATIVE TO RESTRICT, OR LEAVE UNRESTRICTED CERTAIN SELECTED PUNCH PINS, WHEREBY MOVEMENT OF SAID PERFORATOR BLOCK RELATIVE TO RESTRICTED PUNCH PINS IS OPERATIVE TO PRODUCE A PERFORATION IN A RECORDING ELEMENT DISPOSED ON SAID BLOCK, SAID PERFORATOR BLOCK FOR MOVING SAID FEELER LEVERS FROM OPERATIVE TO INOPERATIVE POSITION, AND SAID PERFORATOR BLOCK TO PERFORATING POSITION. 